It's the word of the day again. Serendipity!

Allie and I went to the park today. Ambling along, I nearly cut the walk short. I decided instead to follow my heart . . . it was a gorgeous day, and I was staying one step ahead of the little woodpecker I love to watch. He flitted from tree to tree, thumping away, and I just kind of strolled along.

We get to a bend in the trail. Up ahead, a Doberman. I'm always a little pensive about Allie's "enthusiasm" for play. I worry others may consider her b-noxious (it's obnoxious with the emphasis on the second syllable). But, true to Allie's nature, they met and fell in love. His name is Vaughn. His pint-sized owner, approximately four, was walking on the rocks in the creek. His my-size owner and I started to chat. Somehow, the move came up. Ironically, Guy is a real estate agent and knows the area very well. Guy Adams - sounds like a stage name. We have his card now!

Allie and I walked past what I call Turtle Town, and sat for a minute on the bench at the end of the creek trail. I considered walking back the way we came, which would require a steep hill to get back to the car. Nixed that. My breathing is not great (Chaa!), so we went up the steps to the gentler, albeit longer, slope at the end of the park.

Imagine my shock and surprise when I looked up, and at the top of the next rise, was the face of a White Great Pyr! The big old teddy bear! I was so surprised I nearly cried! I know we are meant to have Noah!

Allie played for about 2o minutes with Keely, the GP, and his two friends, Jeans and Katy. I chatted with the owners. Keely's owner, Trish, was nearly in tears . . . come to find out, they had just lost an FCR mix! Trish fell in love with Allie. Keely and Allie fell in love. Debbie, the other owner, and I started to chat. SOMEHOW, I seriously don't know, turtles came up. SHE IS THE VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR FOR THE TURTLES DOWN AT THE CINCINNATI ZOO! And, if you can believe it, she used to have A TURTLE RESCUE! Up to 80 in her house at one time. She laughed, lovingly and knowingly, when I told her of Sara's travails. I tell you, the planets are aligned in mysterious ways today. So, not only do I have someone to ask about operating and founding a NPO, I have someone to ask about the turtles! AND, she just got to hold the new Galapagos babies. (Tim and I are planning a trip to the Galapagos and Easter Islands for our 5th anniversary.

So, the three of us have made plans to walk together often. Debbie saved my number, and I look forward to the company. I cannot believe how I was meant to be in both of those places at once - one to find a real estate agent, one to give comfort for a fallen friend AND to see what we are up against with our new Baby.

What a day. Serendipity. How amazing is this world?

Speaking of amazing. Top 10 places of mystery which I want to see before I die:

1. Stonehenge (done)
   
2. Kalaupapa on Moloka'i (done)


3. The Mystery Spot in the UP of MI (done - hahaha)


4. The Great Pyramid of Giza and associated wonders


5. The Galapagos Islands (planned for 2012)


6. Easter Island (planned for 2012)


7. The Taj Mahal


8. The Coliseum in Rome


9. Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa or the Paris Underground Tunnels


10. And toss up: Machu Picchu (or just about any temple in the area), Jerusalem - especially the old, old city underground, and Bali

Mind you, this is only the beginning of a very huge list.